The Association Between Social Support, COVID-19 Exposure, and Medical Students' Mental Health

Background: The coronavirus disease−2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has halted in-person medical education worldwide. Limited studies have reported on the mental health status of medical students during this public health emergency. This study aimed to explore the association of personal virus exposure, regional epidemic condition, and social support with medical students' depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak in China.Methods: In February 2020, 5,982 medical students (60.0% females, Meanage = 21.7 years, Medianage = 22 years) completed an online survey consisting of demographics, personal virus exposure, the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the Social Support Rating Scale.Results: The prevalence rates of mild to severe depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were 35.2 and 22.8%, respectively. Multivariate linear regression showed that students with low- or medium-level social support had a higher risk of experiencing depressive or anxiety symptoms than those with high-level social support. COVID-19 exposure was positively associated with mild to severe depressive or anxiety symptoms. Respondents living in provinces with 500–1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases had an increased risk of experiencing mild to severe depressive symptoms compared with those living in provinces with <100 cases. Other related factors were gender and years of training.Conclusions: Some medical students suffered from a poor psychological status during the COVID-19 outbreak. Low social support was a stronger factor related to poor mental status compared with COVID-19 exposure or the provincial epidemic condition. Thus, we suggest that colleges or universities provide social support and mental health screening.

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Professional Identity of Chinese Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-144141/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xingjie Yang ◽

Lan Gao ◽

Suoyuan Zhang ◽

Libin Zhang ◽

Ligang Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Medical Students ◽

Professional Identity ◽

Online Survey ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Strong Predictor ◽

Career Attitudes ◽

Patient Health ◽

Chinese Medical Students

Abstract Background: Although professional identity is a strong predictor of career choice, only a few studies report on career attitudes of medical students during a public health emergency. This study investigates the changes in medical students’ professional identity and career attitude during the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluates their mental health and social support system under stress, and explores the relationship between their career attitude and other factors. Method: An online survey of 6226 Chinese medical students was conducted to collect information on demographics, professional identity, and career attitudes. The collected data were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the Social Support Rating Scale. Results: The results revealed that most participants had their professional identity strengthened, did not change their career attitude, and preferred to participate in the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic. Low social support, depressive symptoms, male gender, and senior year residency were factors that affected career attitude negatively. Conclusions: After the outbreak of the pandemic, it was necessary to carry out diversified professional identity research to support medical students, especially those with low social support and depressive symptoms.

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Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Problems Among Caregivers of People Living With Neurocognitive Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2020.590343 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Qiuxuan Li ◽

Haifeng Zhang ◽

Ming Zhang ◽

Tao Li ◽

Wanxin Ma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Prevalence Rate ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Sleep Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Neurocognitive Disorders ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Anxiety Depression

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems among caregivers of persons living with neurocognitive disorders (PLWND) during the COVID-19 pandemic in China and investigate whether the COVID-19-related experiences were associated with the presence of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.Methods: From March 1 to 31, 2020, 160 caregivers of PLWND participated in an online cross-sectional survey on the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. The 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was administered to measure anxiety symptoms, and the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Questions on sleep duration and sleep quality enquired about sleep problems. Six items were used to explore the COVID-19-related experiences, including community-level infection contact and the level of exposure to media information. We computed the prevalence rate of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep problems. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate factors associated with these mental health problems.Results: The prevalence rate of anxiety, depression, and sleep problems were 46.9%, 36.3%, and 9.4%. Approximately 55 participants (34.4%) presented with two or more mental health problems. Women had a higher risk of developing anxiety symptoms (OR, 5.284; 95% CI, 2.068–13.503; p = 0.001). Having a mental disorder (OR, 5.104; 95% CI, 1.522–17.114; p = 0.008) was associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms. Caregivers who preferred to access positive information (OR, 0.215; 95% CI, 0.058–0.793; p = 0.021) was associated with decreased risk of sleep problems.Conclusion: Anxiety and depressive symptoms were common among caregivers of older adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being female was an independent risk factor for experiencing anxiety symptoms. Preexisting mental disorders increased the risk of depressive symptoms among caregivers, while caregivers who prefer to access positive media information decreased sleep problems.

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Learning burnout: evaluating the role of social support in medical students

10.21203/rs.3.rs-53416/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jiayu Zhang ◽

Tao Shu ◽

Ming Xiang ◽

Zhanchun Feng

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Medical Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Family Income ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽

Protective Role ◽

Burnout Syndrome ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Social

Abstract Background:Burnout is a stress-induced syndrome that is considered closely related to work. Although social support could reduce burnout syndrome, the effect of it on learning burnout in medical students remains unclear. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the association between learning burnout and social support in a cohort of Chinese medical students.Methods:A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to students who participated in online learning in a medical college in Wuhan during the COVID-19 epidemic. We used the Lian version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to assess learning burnout and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) to assess social support.Results:A total of 684 students completed the survey (response rate of 30.9%), of which 315 (46.12%) met standard criteria for learning burnout. We found grade, family income, learning time, and the number of interactions with teachers or classmates had an effect on students’ learning burnout. After adjusting for the grade and residence, there was a significant and relevant association between the social support and learning burnout. (adjusted odds ratio, 0.93 for 1-point decrease in total SSRS score; 95% CI, 0.90 – 0.96; p < 0.001).Conclusions:Learning burnout was highly prevalent in medical students of our college. The social support especially subjective support and utilization of support played a protective role in reducing the risk of learning burnout.

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Depressive and anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-related factors among men and women in Nigeria

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0256690 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0256690

Author(s):

Olakunle Ayokunmi Oginni ◽

Ibidunni Olapeju Oloniniyi ◽

Olanrewaju Ibigbami ◽

Victor Ugo ◽

Ayomipo Amiola ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Online Survey ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Related Factors ◽

Middle Income

Despite the greater adverse economic impacts in low and middle-income (LAMI) compared to high-income countries, fewer studies have investigated the associations between COVID-19-related stressor and mental health in LAMI countries. The objectives of this study were to determine the associations between COVID-19-related stressors and anxiety and depressive symptoms while controlling for known risk and protective factors and to investigate any sex differences. An online survey was carried out to assess sociodemographic, psychosocial (previous mental health conditions, sexual orientation, intimate partner violence and perceived social support) and COVID-19-related variables. Hierarchical linear regression was carried out with anxiety and depressive symptoms as separate outcomes. Of the COVID-19-related factors, testing positive for COVID-19 infection, having COVID-19 symptoms, having other medical conditions, self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms, worry about infection, perception of the pandemic as a threat to income and isolation during the lockdown were significantly associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. Of these, worry about infection, isolation during lockdown and disruption due to the pandemic retained independent associations with both outcomes. The variance in anxiety and depressive symptoms explained by COVID-19-related factors was larger in women (11.8%) compared to men (6.1% and 0.8% respectively). COVID-19-related stressors are associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms, with these effects being larger in men compared to women. Enhancing social support can be an affordable strategy to mitigate this risk but this needs to be investigated using appropriate designs.

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Mental health difficulties of adults with COVID-19-like symptoms in Bangladesh: a case control-study

10.31234/osf.io/ubwxv ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Musammet Rasheda Begum ◽

Shafiqul Islam Khan ◽

Hasan Al Banna ◽

Satyajit Kundu ◽

Munnaf Hossen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Online Survey ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Mental Health Difficulties ◽

Control Study

IntroductionThe rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 coupled with inefficient testing capacities in Bangladesh has resulted in a number of deaths from COVID-19-like symptoms that have no official test results. Insufficient test sites and healthcare facilities catered to COVID-19 has led to feelings of fear and frustration in those who are sick. This study was the first study which explored the mental health of adults with the most common COVID-19-like symptoms in Bangladesh.MethodsThis retrospective case control study gathered data via an online survey to explore the mental health of Bangladeshi adults with symptoms akin to COVID-19. Level of stress, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms were measured with the DASS-21. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the association of variables. ResultsThe prevalence rates of anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms of overall population were 26.9% and 52.0% respectively and 55.6% reported mild to extremely severe levels of stress. Multivariate logistic regression determined that respondents with COVID-19-like symptoms (case) reported higher odds for stress level (AOR: 2.043; CI: 1.51-2.76), anxiety symptoms (AOR: 2.770; CI: 2.04-3.77) and depressive symptoms (AOR: 1.482; CI: 1.12-1.96) than asymptomatic respondents (control). ConclusionPatients with symptoms like those of COVID-19 should be prioritized in the healthcare setting in order to reduce mental health difficulties throughout the pandemic.

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Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Among International Medical Students in China During COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.761964 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Lu-Lu Yuan ◽

Lu Lu ◽

Xue-Hang Wang ◽

Xiao-Xi Guo ◽

Hong Ren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Medical Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Coping Style ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

International Medical ◽

Place Of Residence ◽

Negative Coping

Background: The rapid spread of Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) infection has been the most important public health crisis across the globe since the end of 2019. Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems among people during the pandemic, and many studies have reported anxiety and depressive symptoms in college students. However, information on the mental health status of international medical students during this critical period of time has been scarce, which hinders the efforts in making proper policy or strategies to help these students. The present study aims to explore the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in international medical students in China and to find out the factors that have potential predictive value for anxiety and depressive symptoms.Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out for international medical students during November 2020 at China Medical University in Shenyang, China. Five hundred and nineteen international students were interviewed with questionnaires containing demographic variables, Stressors in school, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) and Resilience Scale-14 (RS-14). Univariate logistic regression and stepwise multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted where appropriate to explore the predictive factors of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms.Results: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms in the sample population was 28.5% (148/519) and 31.6% (164/519), respectively. Stressors in school (β = 0.176, OR = 1.192, CI: 1.102–1.289), negative coping style (β = 0.639, OR = 1.894, CI: 1.287–2.788) and perceived stress (β = 0.230, OR = 1.258, CI: 1.184–1.337) were found to be the predictors of anxiety symptoms among the international medical students; while gender (β = −0.594, OR = 0.552, CI: 0.315–0.968), stay up late (β = 0.828, OR = 2.288, CI: 1.182–4.431), current place of residence (β = 1.082, OR = 2.951, CI: 1.256–6.931), stressors in the school (β = 0.303, OR = 1.354, CI: 1.266–1.496), negative coping style (β = 0.866, OR = 2.377, CI: 1.516–3.725), perceived stress (β = 0.233, OR = 1.262, CI: 1.180–1.351) were found to be predictors of depressive symptoms.Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms was moderate among international medical students in China. The communal predictors of anxiety and depressive symptoms were stressors in school, negative coping style and perceived stress; while demographic factors such as gender (male), stay up late at night and current place of residence were found associated with depressive symptoms. These results suggest that proper stress management and specific interventions are needed to help students maintain their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

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Mental health problems and correlates among 746 217 college students during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak in China

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796020000931 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

Author(s):

Z. Ma ◽

J. Zhao ◽

Y. Li ◽

D. Chen ◽

T. Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

College Students ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Health Problems ◽

Senior Year ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact

Abstract Aims Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major public health concern all over the world. Little is known about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the general population. This study aimed to assess the mental health problems and associated factors among a large sample of college students during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Methods This cross-sectional and nation-wide survey of college students was conducted in China from 3 to 10 February 2020. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess psychosocial factors, COVID-19 epidemic related factors and mental health problems. Acute stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms were measured by the Chinese versions of the impact of event scale-6, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, respectively. Univariate and hierarchical logistic regression analyses were performed to examine factors associated with mental health problems. Results Among 821 218 students who participated in the survey, 746 217 (90.9%) were included for the analysis. In total, 414 604 (55.6%) of the students were female. About 45% of the participants had mental health problems. The prevalence rates of probable acute stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms were 34.9%, 21.1% and 11.0%, respectively. COVID-19 epidemic factors that were associated with increased risk of mental health problems were having relatives or friends being infected (adjusted odds ratio = 1.72–2.33). Students with exposure to media coverage of the COVID-19 ≥3 h/day were 2.13 times more likely than students with media exposure <1 h/day to have acute stress symptoms. Individuals with low perceived social support were 4.84–5.98 times more likely than individuals with high perceived social support to have anxiety and depressive symptoms. In addition, senior year and prior mental health problems were also significantly associated with anxiety or/and depressive symptoms. Conclusions In this large-scale survey of college students in China, acute stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms are prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple epidemic and psychosocial factors, such as family members being infected, massive media exposure, low social support, senior year and prior mental health problems were associated with increased risk of mental health problems. Psychosocial support and mental health services should be provided to those students at risk.

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Depressive and anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-related factors among men and women in Nigeria

10.1101/2021.06.09.21258609 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Olakunle Ayokunmi Oginni ◽

Ibidunni O Oloniniyi ◽

Olanrewaju Ibigbami ◽

Victor Ugo ◽

Ayomipo Amiola ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Online Survey ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Related Factors ◽

Middle Income

Despite the greater adverse economic impacts in low and middle-income (LAMI) compared to high-income countries, fewer studies have investigated the associations between COVID-19-related stressor and mental health in LAMI countries. The objectives of this study were to determine the associations between COVID-19-related stressors and anxiety and depressive symptoms while controlling for known risk and protective factors and to investigate any sex differences. An online survey was carried out to assess sociodemographic, psychosocial (previous mental health conditions, sexual orientation, intimate partner violence and perceived social support) and COVID-19-related variables. Hierarchical linear regression was carried out with anxiety and depressive symptoms as separate outcomes. Of the COVID-19-related factors, testing positive for COVID-19 infection, having COVID-19 symptoms, having other medical conditions, self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms, worry about infection, perception of the pandemic as a threat to income and isolation during the lockdown were significantly associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. Of these, worry about infection, isolation during lockdown and disruption due to the pandemic retained independent associations with both outcomes. The variance in anxiety and depressive symptoms explained by COVID-19-related factors was larger in women (6.1% and respectively) compared to men (6.1% and respectively). COVID-19-related stressors are associated with higher anxiety and depressive symptoms, with these effects being larger in men compared to women. Enhancing social support can be an affordable strategy to mitigate this risk but this needs to be investigated using appropriate designs.

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Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation in Chinese University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.669833 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Shuang-Jiang Zhou ◽

Lei-Lei Wang ◽

Meng Qi ◽

Xing-Jie Yang ◽

Lan Gao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Support ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Graduate Students ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

University Students ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Chinese University ◽

Chinese University Students

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has seriously threatened the global public health security and caused a series of mental health problem. Current research focuses mainly on mental health status and related factors in the COVID-19 pandemic among Chinese university students. Data from 11133 participants was obtained through an online survey. The Patient Health Question-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess depressive symptoms, the Social Support Rate Scale (SSRS) was used to assess social support. We also used 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) to assess anxiety symptoms. Totally, 37.0% of the subjects were experiencing depressive symptoms, 24.9% anxiety symptoms, 20.9% comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms, and 7.3% suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed an increased presence of mental health problems in female students, graduate students, and those with personal COVID-19 exposure. Awareness of COVID-19, living with family were protective factors that reduced anxiety and depression symptoms. In addition, male, personal COVID-19 exposure, depressive and anxiety symptoms were risk factors for suicidal ideation. Social support, COVID-19 preventive and control measures, prediction of COVID-19 trends, living with family and graduate students are protective factors for reducing suicidal ideation.

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Learning Burnout: Evaluating the Role of Social Support in Medical Students

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.625506 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Jia-Yu Zhang ◽

Tao Shu ◽

Ming Xiang ◽

Zhan-Chun Feng

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Medical Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Family Income ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽

Burnout Syndrome ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression

Background: Burnout is a stress-induced syndrome considered to be closely related to work. Although social support could relief burnout syndrome, its effect on learning burnout in medical students remains unclear. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the association between learning burnout and social support in Chinese medical students.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to students who participated in online learning in a medical college in Wuhan during the COVID-19 epidemic. We used the Lian version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to assess learning burnout and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) to assess social support. Chi-square tests were used to analyze factors associated with burnout. Independent t-test and multiple logistic regression were explored to analyze the relationship between social support and burnout.Results: A total of 684 students have completed the survey (response rate: 30.9%), of which 315 (46.12%) met standard criteria for learning burnout. Multiple logistic regression analysis has revealed that seniors, low family income and low social support were significant predictors of learning burnout (χ2 = 41.983, p < 0.001). After adjusting for the grade and family income, there was a significant and relevant association between social support and learning burnout (OR = 0.937; 95% CI: 0.905–0.970; p < 0.001).Conclusions: Learning burnout was highly prevalent in medical students at our college. Senior students and low family income might be risk factors for learning burnout. Social support, especially subjective support and utilization of support might play a protective role in reducing the risk of learning burnout.

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